DAAD Summer Course Scholarship 2027: Apply by 30 Oct

The DAAD University Summer Courses scholarship (HSK) is a programme of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) that funds Indian students and graduates to attend a four-week German language and culture course at a state or state-recognised German university. It is meant for people who want to improve both their general and technical knowledge of the German language before or during their studies.

The scholarship covers the cost of the language course, provides accommodation for the duration of the course, pays a one-time allowance of 475 EUR in cash, adds a country-specific travel allowance and gives health, accident and personal liability insurance. Applications are made online on the DAAD portal, which is open for the 2026-27 cycle from 1 September until 30 October 2026 (23:59 Central European Time).

DAAD University Summer Courses scholarship 2027 - a four-week German language course in Germany with a one-time allowance of 475 EUR, apply by 30 October 2026

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DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship: quick facts

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), the joint higher-education organisation of German universities
Scholarship value	Language course costs plus accommodation, a one-time allowance of 475 EUR, a country-specific travel allowance and health, accident and liability insurance
Who can apply	Students and graduates in any subject area who are enrolled at a university outside Germany – Indian students are eligible
Course details	A four-week German-taught language and culture course at a German university, held between June and September
Last date to apply	30 October 2026, 23:59 Central European Time (the DAAD portal opens on 1 September 2026)
Official website	DAAD India – HSK 2026-2027 call for applications

Go to official website

What is the DAAD University Summer Courses programme?

The HSK programme (Hochschulsommerkurse, or university summer courses) exists to deepen the student’s knowledge of the German language – both general language and technical or subject-specific language – and to widen their knowledge of the country and its culture. The funded courses are run by state and state-recognised German universities and by affiliated language schools, and they are taught exclusively in German. Attendance is in person and is mandatory; the courses cannot be taken online.

Each course lasts four weeks, runs for a maximum of five days a week and has at least 25 teaching hours every week. The courses are held between the months of June and September. The grant is not extendable.

What does the DAAD summer course scholarship cover?

The scholarship is a package that pays for the course and the student’s stay in Germany for the duration of the course:

Language course	The full cost of the language course is covered by the scholarship
Accommodation	Provided by the course provider for the duration of the course – a single room such as a student dormitory, a shared apartment or a private household
One-time allowance	475 EUR paid in cash
Travel	A country-specific travel allowance
Insurance	Health, accident and personal liability insurance

Important: the one-time allowance and any travel allowance are not transferred abroad. DAAD pays the funds to the course provider, who then hands over the amount in cash to the scholarship holder in Germany.

Eligibility criteria

The applicant can be a student or a graduate in any subject area. Indian students and graduates are eligible.
Undergraduate students (for example Bachelor’s students) must have completed at least two academic years of university study by the time the funding period begins.
A student in the final year of an undergraduate degree can apply only if they intend to take up a postgraduate programme (such as a Master’s) immediately after graduating. Final-year Master’s students are not eligible.
The applicant must be enrolled at a university in one of the programme-related countries (except Germany) both at the time of application and throughout the entire scholarship period.
The applicant must be at least 18 years old when the language course starts.
An application is not possible if the student is enrolled at a German university, for example as part of a double or joint degree programme with German participation.
Funding from the programme can be claimed only once.

German language requirements

German language skills must be proven at the time of application. The applicant must be able to follow lectures in German and take part in group work.
DAAD accepts these certificates: onSET-Deutsch, TestDaF, Goethe-Institut Zertifikat, DSD, DSH, telc Deutsch and OSD-Zertifikat. DAAD India asks for at least B1 level as per the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
For participation in subject-specific language courses, the Abitur is also accepted as proof of language proficiency.
The language certificate cannot be older than one year at the time of application (this also applies to DSH). Certificates at B2 level, or TestDaF TDN3 in all examination parts, may be up to two years old.

How to apply for the scholarship

Apply online on the DAAD portal during the application window, which runs from 1 September to 30 October 2026.
Register on the portal and complete the online application form.
In the form you are asked to name three different course locations. DAAD tries to give you one of your preferences, but the capacity of each course is limited, so you can be placed in a different course. Once your application is received you cannot change your course preferences.
Upload every required document to the portal before the deadline – incomplete applications are not considered in the selection process.
Do not submit on the last day: the DAAD portal closes at 24:00 hours (CET or CEST) on the final application day.

Documents required

The online application form.
A complete curriculum vitae in tabular form, written in German.
A letter of motivation, written in German.
Transcripts of all university examinations taken in the last two consecutive years, including individual grades – both the original and a German or English translation.
For graduate students (for example Master’s): the last university degree certificate with the final grade, in the original and in a German or English translation.
Language certificates (with a German or English translation, if applicable).
Other documents that you think are important for your application, such as proof of internships or certificates of employment.

Documents can be submitted in uncertified form, but DAAD reserves the right to ask for certified copies later.

Important dates for the 2026-27 cycle

Application portal opens: 1 September 2026
Last date to apply (on the DAAD portal, 23:59 CET): 30 October 2026
Courses are held: between June and September, for four weeks
The deadline and the opening date are the same for every cycle – 30 October and 1 September of each year

How are candidates selected?

A selection committee reviews every application. The two key selection criteria are the applicant’s previous academic achievements and a convincing letter of motivation that explains the choice of study programme and the future academic plan.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DAAD University Summer Courses scholarship?

It is a DAAD programme, also called HSK, that funds students and graduates to attend a four-week German language and culture course at a state or state-recognised German university between June and September.

Who can apply for the DAAD summer course scholarship?

Students and graduates in any subject area who are enrolled at a university outside Germany. Undergraduate students must have completed at least two academic years of study by the time the funding begins, and the applicant must be at least 18 years old when the course starts.

How much money does the scholarship give?

The scholarship covers the full cost of the language course, provides accommodation for the duration of the course, pays a one-time allowance of 475 EUR in cash, adds a country-specific travel allowance and gives health, accident and personal liability insurance.

Do I need to know German to apply?

Yes. German language skills must be proven at the time of application with an accepted certificate such as TestDaF, Goethe-Institut Zertifikat, DSH, telc Deutsch, DSD, onSET-Deutsch or OSD-Zertifikat. DAAD India asks for at least B1 level as per the CEFR.

Can a final-year student apply?

A final-year undergraduate can apply only if they intend to start a postgraduate programme immediately after graduating. Final-year Master’s students are not eligible for the programme.

What is the last date to apply for the DAAD HSK scholarship?

The last date is 30 October 2026, 23:59 Central European Time, on the DAAD portal. The portal opens on 1 September 2026, and the same dates apply every year.

DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship 2027 for Indian Students